In the hectic frenzy of day-to-day life, our ears often bear the brunt of neglect and inadvertent harm. There are a few common but hazardous practices, like making use of cotton swabs and ear candling, that will put your hearing health in peril. What follows are a few strategies you can use to help protect the health of your hearing.
Bid farewell to ear candling
Despite the complete lack of scientific merit, the ancient practice of trying to eliminate earwax has recently gained some popularity. The process involves inserting a hollow candle into the ear canal and igniting the opposite end, with the idea that a vacuum is created, drawing out impurities. This practice, however, has been proven in a number of studies to not only be ineffective, but also rather risky.
You may be putting your hearing in peril by using a practice that won’t even remove any earwax. The application of heat near the delicate structures of the ear can lead to burns, perforated eardrums, and even exacerbate existing problems. Usually, if you see any wax after ear candling, it will be from the candle itself rather than your ears.
Medical professionals always warn against ear candling because of these findings. Both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO) warn against this practice, emphasizing safer alternatives for ear hygiene.
No more cotton swabs
It’s true that lots of people turn to these seemingly innocuous tools to clean earwax out of their ears. However, contrary to public opinion, inserting cotton swabs into the ear canal poses more risks than benefits. Impaction and potential injury can be the result of using cotton swabs rather than actually cleaning out earwax.
The fragile nature of the eardrum makes it vulnerable to damage from foreign objects, including cotton swabs. Injuries, such as perforations or abrasions can occur, creating pain, infection, and hearing impairment. It would be better to obtain professional assistance if necessary or otherwise depend on your ear’s self-cleaning ability instead of putting any object in the ear.
Be mindful of the volume: protect against loud noise
In an increasingly noisy world, our ears are continuously inundated by sounds of varying volumes. From busy city streets to leisure activities like concerts and sporting events, exposure to loud sound is unavoidable. Over-exposure to loud sounds like these can have negative effects on your hearing health leading to tinnitus and noise-related hearing loss.
It’s essential to use ear protection and, if possible, avoid very loud settings in order to prevent damage. This includes using hearing protection, like earmuffs or earplugs, in loud environments and limiting exposure to loud sounds whenever possible.
Also, take frequent breaks and moderate the volume when you’re using personal listening devices such as headphones and earpods.
If you detect any symptoms, act quickly
Taking fast action when your ears begin to tell you that you’re starting to encounter some level of hearing loss is crucial to protect your ears from harm. If you hold off on getting your hearing loss treated you will probably exacerbate the problem.
If you have symptoms like ringing in the ears, trouble understanding speech, or pain or pressure in your ears, it’s essential that you recognize it. If any of these symptoms are experienced, seek assessment from a qualified hearing specialist or otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) immediately. Early diagnosis and intervention can substantially improve outcomes and enhance your quality of life.
In conclusion, the health and well-being of our ears are paramount in navigating the sensory landscape of our lives. We can preserve our healthy hearing by avoiding cotton swabs and ear candles, protecting our ears against loud noise, and recognizing early warning signs.
Call us immediately for an evaluation if you are suffering from ear damage or hearing loss.
